A ssigstoe to chaeles w



(No Model.)

B. NIGOL, Jr.

SIGN.

Patented M51. 2

UNTTED STATES PATENT EErcE.

ROBERTNICOL, JR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO CHARLES V. SHOUK, OF SAME PLACE.

SIGN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 337,188, dated March 2, 1886.

Application filed May 5, 1885. Serial No. 164.438. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, ROBERT NICOL, J 1'., a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and Improved Sign; and Iahereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

My invention relates to the class of signs, also sometimes employed as bulletin-boards, which are quite commonly used to stand on the sidewalk adjacent to the building to which the advertising-matter thereon refers, or to which the device belongs. The usual form of signs of this description, which affords two surfaces for the display of advertising-matter,

'. is that of the letter A, owing to which, in addition to the namessidewalk or street signs or bulletins they are called A or V or tripod signs or bulletins.

Devices of the foregoing description present objections, which render desirable the provision of another contrivance for the same purpose from which these objections shall be absent.

The principal one of the objections referred to which materially detracts from the desirability of the device is that being constructed oflight material and in the form described it is readily blown over by even a slight wind, whereby, in addition to the inconvenience arising from this fact alone, the rough usage to which it is thus subjected soon breaks and destroys it.

It is my object to provide a sign or bulletinboard of a construction which shall afford all the advantages of those constructed in the manner hereinbefore described without presenting any of the disadx'antages incident to the use of the latter.

My invention consists in the construction of my improved device hereinafter described, whereby the above object is accomplished, and whereby it is also rendered rotatory, and thus affords the advantages of a rotary sign or bulletin-board.

Referring to the drawings, Figure l is a perspective view of my device; Fig. 2, a transverse sectional elevation of the same without the pedestal; and Fig. 3 a similar view to that shown in Fig. 2, representing a modified con struction.

A is a sign or bulletin board, upon the surfaces of which the information to be conveyed is placed. The part A may be formed in any desired size, either of a single board of proper thickness or of several pieces properly adjusted together. A hole is formed centrally within the part A, extending, preferably, from one edge thereof to the other, and having a diameter sufficient to accommodate and afford a loose fit to a rod, B, preferably of iron, one end of which is inserted therein, and the other into a pedestal, C, also preferably of iron, and ofsufficient weight to render the device heaviest below its center, whereby it will resist a moderate force exerted against the part A, which would tend to overthrow the device. A shoulder, t, of greater diameter than the opening in the sign portion is provided on the rod to support the part A, and the upper end of the rod is screw-threaded, and provided with a nut, s, which secures the sign or bulletin-board and prevents its too ready removal by mischievously-inclined persons.

By the foregoing construction, the part A being rotatory, has a tendency to act like a vane, presenting one of its lateral edges to the wind, and the surface thus presented is comparatively so small that the pedestal C need not be of great weight to resist the action of wind blowing with considerable force against the part A, whereby the inconvenience which additional weight would occasion in proportion to its increase is avoided in placing the device in its position on the sidewalk and removing it therefrom to a place of shelter, op erations ordinarily to be performed at least once daily.

All the advantages of rotary signs which have hitherto been fixtures are attained by the use of my improvement, in which, however, the main object designed to be accomplished is that described, of preventing its overthrow. Rotation of the part A may be prevented, if desired, by tightening the nuts 8 with sufficient force to render this part stationary or rigid.

It is not absolutely necessary that the rod shall extend entirely through the part A, since the opening therein to receive it may be formed, as shown in Fig. 3, part way through, when the .rod may be provided with a globular head, 9", fitting into a socket formed at the inner end of the opening, whereby the signboard is supported and a removable screw, 8', may be provided to pass into the rod through a lug, p, projecting from the lower edge of the part A, to permit the latter to be rendered stationary when desired. 7

It is obvious that the part A could be formed like a box instead of a single thickness of board, as shown, when a block recessed on its under side could be secured inside it in a proper position to receive the head of the rod B in case the modified construction shown in Fig. 3 should be employed.

I am aware that a revolving sign is not broadly new, since various forms of such signs have hitherto been invented, among which that of an S-shaped sign-board pivoted upon a rod inserted into the upper end of a stationary vertical post on or near a sidewalk and revolved by the wind is in quite common use. My invention differs from these, however, in the fact that it affords a rotatory sign or bulletin board without it being revolving in the sense that it must continually revolve, and also in the all-important fact that it is not a fixture, but readily removable or portable.

\Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A rotatory portable sidewalk sign or bulletin board comprising, in combination, the part A, provided with a central opening extending upward from its lower edge, a rod, B, inserted toward one end within the opening and supporting the part A, and a portable pedestal, G, into which the opposite end of the rod is secured and of sufficient weight to secure the device from being overthrown by the exertion against it of the ordinary force of the wind, substantially as described.

2. A rotatory portable sidewalk sign or bulletin board comprising, in combination, a board, A, provided with a central opening extending to opposite edges, a rod, 13, extending through the opening, and provided with a shoulder, t, to support theboard A, and screwthreaded toward its upper extremity to receive a nut, s, and a pedestal, G, into which the lower extremity of the rod B is secured, and heavier than the weight he device above its center, substantially a escribed.

Mason BROSS, EDWARD Tnonrn.

Correction in Letters Patent No. 337,188.

It is hereby certified that the name of the assignee in Letters Patent No. 337,188, granted March 2,1886, upon the application of Robert Nicol, Jr'., of Chicago, Illinois,

was erroneously written and printed Charles W. Shouk, whereas said name should have been written and printed Charles W. Shonk and that said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office. 1

Signed, countersigned, andsealed this 23d day of March, A. D. 1886.

H. L. MULDBOW,

[SEAL] Acting Secretary of the Interior.

Gountersigned:

M. V. MONTGOMERY,

Commissioner of Patents. 

